If there’s one thing politicians know, it’s that if you give a little, you get some in return. In anticipation of a tough midterm battle, the Republicans got a big boost from megadonor Sheldon Adelson, who announced today that he would be giving $30 million to the GOP-associated Congressional Leadership Fund to help stop the Democrats from taking control of Congress.
Politico reports that Paul Ryan flew out to Las Vegas last week and sealed the multimillion dollar deal at Adelson’s luxurious Venetian Hotel. This donation is three times the amount that Adelson gave to the group during the last election cycle, and just $5 million short of the amount he gave to a Trump super PAC in 2016.
So Paul Ryan flew across the country to secure a $30 million check from Sheldon Adelson but then stepped out of the room for a couple minutes to avoid technically soliciting the money? Via @JakeSherman @politicoalex https://t.co/32ts2H87qt pic.twitter.com/2O43vxV9sL
— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) May 10, 2018
So what does Adelson get out of this arrangement? For one thing, the new GOP tax reform has been a boon for Adelson and his company:
Sheldon Adelson's company recorded a *$670 million* income tax windfall from the GOP tax law in the first quarter. https://t.co/kuUWPx7YVf
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 10, 2018
And while the UK, France, and Germany are remiss about Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran deal, Adelson is likely satisfied about this news. Adelson is part of the Board of Directors for the Republican Jewish Coalition, which lobbied hard against the Iran nuclear deal as it was being negotiated by the Obama administration. According to Washington Post reporter Ashley Parker, Adelson was scheduled to meet Trump for lunch yesterday, just one day after he announced America’s withdrawal from the Iran deal.
Sheldon Adelson to meet with Trump in D.C. tomorrow. Described as a “friendly,” long-planned meeting, not related to today’s Iran news.
— Ashley Parker (@AshleyRParker) May 8, 2018